Mission
The Zero Waste Committee is dedicated to achieving zero waste in Washington, DC.
Did you know…
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Districtwide, 84% of this waste is sent to incinerators and landfills
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DC’s 2023 projected plastic recycling rate is a mere 6.5% even though clean up activities in the Anacostia River find that plastic bottles make up 65% of waste by weight.
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District grocery stores generate at least 40 million plastic bags every year, most of them are used by customers just one time
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Fifty% of municipal waste, typically, is organic and could be composted
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DC doesn’t recycle glass; our tax money pays for it to be hauled away for use as “daily landfill cover”
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Single-use plastic packaging can be replaced by reusable containers
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Mattresses, furniture, electronics and textiles can be donated and reused
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These steps will help DC meet its “waste diversion goal” to keep 80% diversion from landfills and incinerators by 2032
We can do better!
The Sierra Club DC Chapter's Zero Waste Committee advocates for District government, businesses and residents to prioritize reduction, reuse, prevention, composting and recycling over incineration and landfilling. We work with District agencies and the DC Council to make this a reality. Moving toward zero waste means both systemic, policy, changes as well as personal action. We are volunteer-driven and new volunteers are always welcome!
- Compost campaign - Learn why composting is important and how you can support bringing compost dropoff sites and curbside composting to your community!
- Single-use plastic campaign - You can help restaurants tame takeout trash and help grocery stores reduce single-use plastic bags while and making plastic polluters take responsibility for their waste!
- Construction and Demolition Waste Campaign
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Join our monthly committee meetings. Our Zero Waste meetings are held in the vening of the second Tuesday of each month – Simply register on our calendar here: http://www.sierraclub.org/dc/calendar
Just curious? Pop in and see what we’re about! -
Speak up - Get ideas on how to speak up for changes in DC
We also share links and resources to help DC residents reduce, reuse and recycle.
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DC waste services - Learn whether your building has curbside pickup, where to drop off your compost and what to do with e-waste, paint and more,
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DC's waste laws - Learn about the laws and regulations that set the rules about waste in DC and tell you if you’re getting the services you should, and
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Personal zero waste actions/tips - Learn simple actions you can take/ lifestyle tips such as how to shop package-free, where to drop off your compost, how to organize zero waste events and so much more.
Have a question or comment?
Please contact Susan, the committee chair, at Zero.Waste@DC.SierraClub.org.